King Charles ‘threatens to sever ties with Prince Andrew’ in Royal Lodge row
The tense relationship between King Charles and his disgraced brother Prince Andrew has reached breaking point due to their row over the 30-bedroom mansion Royal Lodge.
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Things have reached breaking point between King Charles and his disgraced brother Prince Andrew over their Royal Lodge spat.
Charles has turned the screws on Andrew, warning life will become “uncomfortable” if he refuses to quit his 30-room mansion.
The King, 75, has redoubled his efforts this year to evict his brother who shares the home with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson with insiders branding the stand-off the “siege of Royal Lodge”.
The Sun reports the King, who is funding Andrew’s life, could “reconsider the levels of support he is willing to provide” if he refuses all offers of a new home.
The shamed Duke of York, 64, won’t return to public duty after paying millions to settle an abuse case with an alleged Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking victim, has ignored the King’s pleas to move out for 18 months.
Earlier, Andrew had rejected the chance to move into Frogmore Cottage last year after Harry and Meghan were served with eviction.
Andrew is still refusing to budge pointing out that he is in possession of a 75-year lease.
But a friend told The Times: “It can be done tidily or untidily. It can be done with grace and dignity or it can be forced upon him. It’s all rather sad.
“But as things stand, life at Royal Lodge is set to become increasingly cold and uncomfortable for the duke.
“The only question now is when he will realise that he has become a prisoner of his own pride – and that handing back the keys will afford him far greater comfort, and the continued support of his family.”
That news comes as Charles is said to be unwilling to keep paying out of his own pocket to fund Andy’s lavish lifestyle.
The disgraced Duke’s police protection was removed when he stepped down from public duty amid the Epstein scandal.
But Charles stepped in to pick up his multimillion pounds private security bill.
The scandal-hit father of two has kept out of the public since he caused controversy leading the family into a service for late Greek King Constantine at Windsor Castle in February in the absence of the cancer-hit King.
But last month he was seen playing golf without a care in the world with pals in Scotland.
In contrast, The King and Queen Camilla continue to be seen in public.
Despite his continued battle with cancer, King Charles happily waved to well wishers as he attended Epsom’s Ladies Day with Queen Camilla as part of the 155,000 strong crowd over the two days of the Surrey-based event.
The wet weather didn’t dampen the Royals’ spirits but there was no joy for them in the main race of the day, as their horse Treasure finished 11th of 12 runnins in the Epsom Oaks behind winner Ezeliya.
KING CHARLES IS OFF HIS HORSE
King Charles will attend Trooping The Colour in June, but will not take part on horseback due to his health. However, the Princess of Wales will not be attending the celebration on June 8.
Charles, 75, will inspect the troops while seated in an Ascot Landau carriage with Queen Camilla during the annual ceremony, which celebrates the reigning monarch’s birthday, on the advice of his doctors as he continues to receive treatment for cancer, Buckingham Palace confirmed.
A royal source said: “Trooping the Colour this year has been tailored to suit the king’s medical needs, he will not be on horseback this year but he has been very keen to attend, this is one of the first engagements he is taking on since returning to royal duties.”
A palace source added the “slight alteration” to normal proceedings is in keeping with the King’s attendance at other recent events which have been carefully calibrated and adapted under the advice of royal doctors.
Kensington Palace confirmed the Princess of Wales, who is receiving preventive treatment for cancer, will not attend the ceremonial military event of the Colonel’s Review ahead of the Trooping weekend.
In February, the Ministry of Defence appeared to confirm her attendance but later removed the announcement on its website.
General James Bucknall K.C.B., C. V. O will take the salute and carry out the role of Inspecting Officer on behalf of The Princess.
The king started treatment in February after it was discovered he had a form of cancer while undergoing surgery for an enlarged prostate.
He cancelled all public engagements, but is being phased back into work after making a return two weeks ago with a visit to the patients of London Macmillan Cancer Hospital.
The king and queen will then travel to France for a D-Day event at the British Normandy memorial in Ver-sur-Mer.